Description
Classic baked salmon with lemon garlic butter brings Mediterranean flavors to weeknight dinners. Delicate fish fillets melt with rich butter and zesty citrus, creating an elegant meal you will savor with simple ingredients and minimal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 salmon fillets
- 450 g (1 lb) medium-thick asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 4 tsps minced garlic
- 3–4 tbsps cubed butter
- 2 tbsps broth (vegetable or chicken)
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley or cilantro
- 1 ½ tsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Set oven to 425°F (220°C) and lay two aluminum foil sheets on a flat surface.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk chicken broth, lemon juice, hot sauce, minced garlic, and melted butter into a fragrant liquid mixture.
- Salmon Preparation: Thoroughly dry salmon fillets and season comprehensively with salt and pepper on both surfaces.
- Packet Assembly: Center salmon fillets on foil sheets, surround with asparagus spears, and drench with prepared sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sealing and Baking: Crimp foil packet edges tightly, creating a hermetic seal, then transfer to baking sheet and roast in preheated oven for 9-12 minutes until salmon flakes effortlessly.
- Serving: Carefully open packets, avoiding steam release, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat salmon fillets completely dry to ensure proper seasoning adhesion and achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Foil Packet Technique: Seal edges tightly to lock in moisture, preventing salmon from drying out and preserving delicate flavors.
- Temperature Precision: Use 425°F for quick, even cooking that keeps salmon tender and flaky without overcooking.
- Sauce Distribution: Pour sauce evenly over fish and asparagus to guarantee consistent seasoning and maximum flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American-Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg